28.2.14

Gone but not forgotten...

A quick look at 3 teams that entered the Football League in 1892 and who no longer enjoy league status.

Grimsby Town
The Cleethorpes side originally known as Grimsby Pelham have had 2 spells in the Football League. Members of the original Combination, they unsuccessfully applied to join the League in 1889 and instead joined the Alliance. Their first League experience lasted from 1892-1910:

Season

League

FA Cup

1892-93

Div.2 -4

R2

1893-94

Div.2 -5

R1

1894-95

Div.2 -5

Q3

1895-96

Div.2 -3

R2

1896-97

Div.2 -3

R1

1897-98

Div.2 -12

R1

1898-99

Div.2 -10

R1

1899-1900

Div.2 -6

R1

1900-01

Div.2 -1

IR

Promoted

1901-02

Div.1-15

R1

1902-03

Div.1-17

R2

Relegated

1903-04

Div.2 -6

R1

1904-05

Div.2 -13

R1

1905-06

Div.2 -8

R1

1906-07

Div.2 -11

R1

1907-08

Div.2 -18

R4

re elected

1908-09

Div.2 -13

R1

1909-10

Div.2 -19

R1

Relegated- Midland League

Following a successful season in the Midland League Grimsby returned to the Football League in 1911 and survived for 99 seasons. They currently play in the 5th tier of the English pyramid system.

Lincoln City
The Imps have been in and out of the Football League more than any other club. 5 spells in the league- 4 during our period (pre 1937). 104 seasons in the League all told, never in the top tier. They currently play in the 5th tier of the English pyramid system.

Season

League

FA Cup

1892-93

Div.2 -9

Q4

1893-94

Div.2 -8

Q2

re elected

1894-95

Div.2 -13

Q1

1895-96

Div.2 -13

Q3

re elected

1896-97

Div.2 -16

Q5

1897-98

Div.2 -14

Q4

re elected

1898-99

Div.2 -12

Q4

re elected

1899-1900

Div.2 -9

Q3

1900-01

Div.2 -8

Q4

1901-02

Div.2 -5

R2

1902-03

Div.2 -10

R1

1903-04

Div.2 -12

Q3

1904-05

Div.2 -9

R1

1905-06

Div.2 -13

R2

1906-07

Div.2 -19

R2

re elected

1907-08

Div.2 -20

R1

Relegated- Midland League

After a 1 year absence Lincoln were back in the League- briefly:

Season

League

FA Cup

1909-10

Div.2 -15

Q4

1910-11

Div.2 -20

Q5

Relegated- Midland League

Another rapid return...

Season

League

FA Cup

1912-13

Div.2 -8

Q5

1913-14

Div.2 -19

R1

1914-15

Div.2 -16

R1

1919-20

Div.2 -21

R1

Relegated- Midland League

Again, The Imps were only out of League football for one season. They were founder members of the Third Division (Northern Section) in 1921 and remained in the League until 1987.

Northwich Victoria

Northwich Victoria

Currently in the 8th tier. Northwich Victoria played only 50 league games over 2 seasons, of which they won only 12.

Season

League

FA Cup

1892-93

Div.2 -7

R2

1893-94

Div.2 -15

Q2

Relegated- The Combination

The legendary Billy Meredith played 11 games for Northwich in the 1893-94 season, scoring 5 goals, including a hat trick against Newcastle United.